BitLocker

glatzfront

Power User
I guess this is a disk geometry question????

Can I use Bitlocker on this laptop?

Disk layout = Premium- XP Pro- Storage- Ultimate

The storage partition is an extended partition

If I can use BitLocker on this laptop will it protect all 4 partitions?
 

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I have no experiance using bitlocker. However, from what I can tell it protects the OS volume. To protect other volumes besides the OS volume, it looks like it stores scripts on the encryted volume to encrypt other data volumes. So, you would have to boot up in ultimate to see the HP and XP volumes. So my guess is no on protecting all 4 partitions, if you want to be able to boot up in HP and XP. Here is where I was getting this from...


Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Frequently Asked Questions
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Core Duo 2 E6700
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5W DH Deluxe
    Memory
    4g-Corsair XMS2 6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI 4870x2
    Hard Drives
    2 Maxtor Essential SATA2 drives Raid 0
    Pioneer 212D SATA DVD-R/W
Yes-
Bitlocker with SP1.
SP1 allows external storage devices (usb thumbdrives, harddrives) and partitions to use bitlocker encryption.
Bitlocker runs in a pre-windows enviroment, so it will allow boot to either xp/Vista.
(note-If system does not have a TPM chip Bitlocker must be run with a usb thumbdrive- which stores the encryption key(s) for startup)

[SP1] Enhances the BitLocker encryption support to volumes other than bootable volumes in Windows Vista (for Enterprise and Ultimate SKUs).
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc709618.aspx
 
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My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Thanks for the replies and help.

So my next step would be to download BitLocker from Windows updates and then install it?

When it partitions the drive will I loose everything?

Can I partition the drive myself for BitLocker?

Primary or Extended partition?
 

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Thanks for the replies and help.

So my next step would be to download BitLocker from Windows updates and then install it?

When it partitions the drive will I loose everything?

Can I partition the drive myself for BitLocker?

Primary or Extended partition?


Bitlocker will partition the drive itself-
Start>All programs>Accessories>System Tools>Bitlocker>Bitlocker Drive preparation Tool

You will not loose anything, and the process is reversable in the event you decide to remove bitlocker and /or the bitlocker created partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Thanks for the replies and help.

So my next step would be to download BitLocker from Windows updates and then install it?

When it partitions the drive will I loose everything?

Can I partition the drive myself for BitLocker?

Primary or Extended partition?


Bitlocker will partition the drive itself-
Start>All programs>Accessories>System Tools>Bitlocker>Bitlocker Drive preparation Tool

You will not loose anything, and the process is reversable in the event you decide to remove bitlocker and /or the bitlocker created partition.



I have no unused space, where will BitLocker get the space?
 

My Computer

Thanks for the replies and help.

So my next step would be to download BitLocker from Windows updates and then install it?

When it partitions the drive will I loose everything?

Can I partition the drive myself for BitLocker?

Primary or Extended partition?


Bitlocker will partition the drive itself-
Start>All programs>Accessories>System Tools>Bitlocker>Bitlocker Drive preparation Tool

You will not loose anything, and the process is reversable in the event you decide to remove bitlocker and /or the bitlocker created partition.



I have no unused space, where will BitLocker get the space?

It will create its own partition from the Vista system boot partition, and then move the boot files to the new partiton.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Sorry for so many questions but the unknown/unfamiliar, as always, seems risky. Would the new partition be an extended partition? If it has the boot files wouldn't it need to be a primary partition and I already have the maximum primary with 3 and an extended.
 

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Hello glatzfront.

If you have three primary and one extended, to create another
it has to be created in the extended partition.

I got this from here --> Primary, Extended and Logical Partitions

  • A maximum of four partitions can be placed on any HDD. These are sometimes called primary partitions. The limitation of four is one that is imposed on the system by the way that the master boot record is structured.
  • Only one partition may be designated, at any given time, as active. That partition will be used for booting the system. See here for more on active partitions and switching active status between partitions.
  • DOS (and the operating systems that depend on it for booting, which includes all consumer Windows operating systems) will only recognize the active primary partition. Any other primary partitions will be ignored.
  • One of the four partitions may be designated as an extended DOS partition. This partition may then be subdivided into multiple logical partitions. This is the way that two or more logical DOS volumes can be placed on a single hard disk.
Later :shock: Ted
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
Hello glatzfront.

If you have three primary and one extended, to create another
it has to be created in the extended partition.

I got this from here --> Primary, Extended and Logical Partitions

  • A maximum of four partitions can be placed on any HDD. These are sometimes called primary partitions. The limitation of four is one that is imposed on the system by the way that the master boot record is structured.
  • Only one partition may be designated, at any given time, as active. That partition will be used for booting the system. See here for more on active partitions and switching active status between partitions.
  • DOS (and the operating systems that depend on it for booting, which includes all consumer Windows operating systems) will only recognize the active primary partition. Any other primary partitions will be ignored.
  • One of the four partitions may be designated as an extended DOS partition. This partition may then be subdivided into multiple logical partitions. This is the way that two or more logical DOS volumes can be placed on a single hard disk.
Later :shock: Ted


Hello Ted, thank you

But what will BitLocker create, doesn't it need a primary?
 

My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
Bitlocker will create a 1.5GB NTFS "S" partition from the primary Vista partition, reducing the size of said partition. It will install the Vista boot/dual boot files and config data into this new partition, and it will mark this fourth partition as Active. This partition(volume) will not be encrypted.

The BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool automates the following processes to make the computer ready for BitLocker: •Creating the second volume that BitLocker requires (in the event of a single partition)•Migrating the boot files to the new volume•Making the volume an active volumed

A genuine version of Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Enterprise, or Windows Server 2008 must be installed.
•The active partition must contain boot configuration data and boot files.•The target partition must meet the following requirements:
•The partition must be on a simple disk that is initialized for basic storage.•The partition must be a primary partition. Extended drives and logical drives are not supported (i.e., the Ultimate volume must be Primary basic and marked active)•The partition must be formatted by using the NTFS file system.•The partition must not be compressed.•The cluster size of the partition must be less than 4 KB or equal to 4 KB.•The partition is not using software spanning, software mirroring, or software RAID.
Note This tool works correctly in hardware RAID configurations.•
For a split operation, at least 10 percent of the active partition must remain free after the partition size is reduced by 1.5 gigabytes (GB).•For a merge operation, the partition's total capacity must be at least 1.5 GB. Also, the partition must have at least 800 MB of free disk space.


Steps to undo bitlocker drive preparation
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/163316-how-remove-bitlocker-repair-boot-manager.html?filter[11]=Security%20System%20Tools
 
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My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Sorry glatzfront, I have no experience with BitLocker.
Someone else will be along to help you, keep checking back.

I did find these two links.

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide




Later :shock: Ted

Bitlocker will create a 1.5GB NTFS "S" partition from the primary Vista partition, reducing the size of said partition. It will install the Vista boot/dual boot files and config data into this new partition, and it will mark this fourth partition as Active. This partition(volume) will not be encrypted.


Thanks for the help but from what I'm reading in the step-by step guide is that BitLocker requires a primary bootable partition and my present disk geometry, as listed in the original post, wont support an additional primary partition.

I don't see how this would work for me at this time.
 

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Sorry glatzfront, I have no experience with BitLocker.
Someone else will be along to help you, keep checking back.

I did find these two links.

BitLocker Drive Encryption - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide




Later :shock: Ted

Bitlocker will create a 1.5GB NTFS "S" partition from the primary Vista partition, reducing the size of said partition. It will install the Vista boot/dual boot files and config data into this new partition, and it will mark this fourth partition as Active. This partition(volume) will not be encrypted.


Thanks for the help but from what I'm reading in the step-by step guide is that BitLocker requires a primary bootable partition and my present disk geometry, as listed in the original post, wont support an additional primary partition.

I don't see how this would work for me at this time.

You are correct. Your current drive config consisting of: (3)Primary Partitions, and (1) extended storage Partition will not support the creation of the fourth Primary volume required for the Bitlocker Volume.
In this version of Windows, basic disks can have either four primary partitions or three primary and one extended partition.
Does your computer not support more than 1 Hard drive, or does it not support a usb external drive that can be used for storage and be encrypted with Bitlocker? This will remove the extended partition and allow the creation of the fourth Primary volume on your disk.

What are basic and dynamic disks?

gl_icon_tip.png
Applies to: Enterprise, Ultimate.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

Basic disks and dynamic disks are two types of hard disk configurations in Windows. Most personal computers are configured as basic disks, which are the simplest to manage. Advanced users and IT professionals can make use of dynamic disks, which use multiple hard disks within a computer to manage data, usually for increased performance or reliability.
Note-Only Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate editions support dynamic disks.
A basic disk uses primary partitions, extended partitions, and logical drives to organize data. A formatted partition is also called a volume (the terms volume and partition are often used interchangeably). In this version of Windows, basic disks can have either four primary partitions or three primary and one extended partition.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Just out of curiosity, why run Premium and Ultimate? You are running x86 versions of both. They both have Media Center, but
Premium is just a cut down butchered version of ultimate with many features removed, and it just seems like a waste of disk space.


Ultimate features missing from Premium
Complete PC backup/restore
Bitlocker drive encryption
Remote desktop
Shadow Copy
Hold'em poker and dreamscene
Fax and Scan
Dynamic Disk Support
Digital Locker online backup
DVD Codecs for Media Player
 
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My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    T7600G Core2Duo 2.66 Ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
    Memory
    4GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobility Radeon x1900 256MB
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    WUXGA 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    640GB 7200RPM SATA/RAID 0 (2x320GB)
    and 320GB 7200RPM External
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft 3000
    Internet Speed
    10 mbps/2 mbps
    Other Info
    Optical Drive:
    Panasonic UJ-220 DL BD-RE (Blu-Ray)
Just out of curiosity, why run Premium and Ultimate? You are running x86 versions of both. They both have Media Center, but
Premium is just a cut down butchered version of ultimate with many features removed, and it just seems like a waste of disk space.


Ultimate features missing from Premium
Complete PC backup/restore
Bitlocker drive encryption
Remote desktop
Shadow Copy
Hold'em poker and dreamscene
Fax and Scan
Dynamic Disk Support
Digital Locker online backup
DVD Codecs for Media Player


Bought the HP laptop new a few months ago and it came with the bloated, premium. It had many event viewer issues out of the box. I thought Vista wasn't for me so I installed XP Pro. Ultimate became available so I did a clean install of it.

I've kept the premium to help with knowing what to install on Ultimate. All of this time working on the Premium to see if I could make it run better, couldn't resist, and it does. Now it works as well as the clean install of Ultimate and boots just a few seconds faster. I also use it as a test OS before making changes on Ultimate. Premium will eventually have to be discarded but it still has some usefulness left, besides it's kinda like an old hat now! I figured I needed to start learning how to better use Vista as the next will build upon it and XP wont be around for ever.

Guess I need to make some choices because I also wanted to try Ultimate 64 bit?

It is possible to make an extended logical partition bootable, I've done it once before on an older machine with XP and like you say there is always the second HD that I could install. No hurry I guess, going on a cruise, taking the laptop and wanted the security but it can wait, or is something else available.
 

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